These are the picks for the 2002 season. The bold represents the team selected to win. Games in red represent the Upset of the Week. At the bottom, The weekly and overall records for the season appear at the bottom. These picks are based purely on winners and losers with no consideration from the spread. The spread is used only to determine upsets for the Upset of the Week.
Soon after the St. Louis Rams bobbed-and-weaved their way to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV, the NFL outlawed group touchdown celebrations. Almost three years later, I starting to wish the league made solo touchdown celebrations illegal instead. Emotions are a part of all sports, but it would be the only way to keep Terrell Owens and his post-touchdown shows.
Earlier this season on a Monday night game, Owens signed a football after scoring a touchdown. This past weekend, he grabbed a pair of pom-poms from a nearby Gold Rush Girls cheerleader and did a small dance of his own while shaking the golden puffs.
Give Owens credit because he manages to circumvent the league's no removing helmet rule. The NFL wrote in "The Emmitt Smith Rule" because the league felt taking off the helmet drew attention to an individual instead of focusing on the team. Owens' theatrics can be termed entertaining, but doing them repeatedly becomes boorish because these displays only draw attention to himself.
This past Sunday especially stands out. Yes he had reason to celebrate because, on the play, he caught the ball with a defender draped all over him, then broke the tackle to score. He earned that TD. But instead of waiting for quarterback Jeff Garcia to thank him for throwing him the pass, he dashed out the back of the endzone, apparently attracted by the shimmering gold color, for a chance to play with the pom-poms. What was he celebrating? His San Francisco team was still down.
It annoyed me further to see Owens at the post-game press conference chucking, grinning from ear to ear, after a reporter asked him about his dance. For someone that was part of a 49ers loss, Owens sure took it well, considering the loss could determine if San Fran plays at home or away during the playoffs. That moment leads one to believe he puts himself before the team.
I thought showboats could only be seen on the Mississippi. But the Bay Area named Owens who's developing a reputation of extra theatrics. The thing is, no one is asking for encores.
Miami at Minnesota - Saturday - L
This will be the first time wide receivers Randy Moss and Cris Carter have been on the same football field since Carter's temporary retirement. Carter mentored Moss in Minnesota for a few years in hopes Moss would grow up into a hard-working receiver like Carter was in his prime. Moss didn't listen. For that, Carter has every reason to take Moss over his knee for a few blows to the backside. As for the game, the Dolphins spank the Vikings.
San Francisco at Arizona - Saturday - W
This season isn't a complete loss for 'Zona. They at least found their running back of the future in Marcel Shipp. The ball carrier of the present, Thomas Jones, never played up to expectations and the running back of the past is now playing very well for San Fran. Garrison Hearst and the 49ers trample the Cardinals.
Philadelphia at Dallas - Saturday Night - W
This game might be the last game for Emmitt Smith in front of the home Cowboys crowd. Owner Jerry Jones speaks openly about looking to the future and the likelihood of Smith not being a part of it. With the way things are in Dallas, Emmitt might be happy being shown the door in Dallas. The immediate future for the 'Boys doesn't look bright. The Eagles drive the Cowboys into the ground.
Buffalo at Green Bay - W
Wide out Terry Glenn, while happy to be with Green Bay, is making a little noise because he wants more passes. His production is tied into what draft pick G.B. surrenders to New England in the trade that sent Glenn to Wisconsin and he believes that is why he's not getting more opportunities. He's on pace to be worth a fourth round pick. It seems like an ego thing more than anything. Glenn likely will be worth a fourth rounder and feels he's worth more than that. He goes out an proves it in a Packers win.
Chicago at Carolina - L
By halftime last week, 'Lina had a zero net yards against Pittsburgh. Literally and figuratively, the Panthers are going nowhere this year. The Bears wear Carolina down.
Detroit at Atlanta - W
The good news is Lions quarterback Joey Harrington will be just fine after undergoing a procedure to fix his irregular heartbeat. Now that his crisis is over, what about the ticker of team president Matt Millen and head coach Marty Mornhinweg? They'll sweat out the rest of the season and wait to if the ax falls on their tenures. The Falcons thump Detroit.
Houston at Washington - W
At the end of the season, CBS analyst Phil Sims gives out his All-Iron award to form a team of players he respects for toughness. The team captain should be Texans quarterback David Carr for falling victim to sacks 70 times, just three away from breaking the record. Washington's defense will gladly assist Carr in surpassing the highmark in a Redskins win.
New Orleans at Cincinnati - L
42,092 marks the lowest attendance ever at Paul Brown Stadium. Displeased in the numerous empty seats, Cincinnati councilman Chris Monzel is asking ticket owners who won't go to the remaining home game to donate the tix to the children's shelter. Granted it's the spirit of giving, but these children are suffering enough. I doubt these kids want to see their Bengals get pounded by the Saints.
N.Y. Giants at Indianapolis - L
Props to Indy wide out Marvin Harrison for breaking the single season receptions record. As impressive the feat is, he's already tacked on a few catches to improve the high mark, and still has two more games to add to it. He just might achieve 150 in a season. He need 23 more receptions over the next two games and Harrison will get a great start as the Colts slip past the Giants.
San Diego at Kansas City - L
K.C. head coach Dick Vermeil believes running back Mike Cloud is good enough to start in the league. We'll see if Vermeil is right, now that starter Priest Holmes is out for the week, if not the rest of the season. The likely truth is, without Priest, the Chiefs don't have a prayer against the Chargers.
Tennessee at Jacksonville - W
Not since 1999 has one team swept the other in this rivalry. The Titans made it a three-peat on their way to the Super Bowl. Ever since, Tennessee and Jacksonville have split. Because the Jaguars lost their home game to the Titans earlier this season, I'll take the Titans at home.
St. Louis at Seattle - L
After standing by his three-time Pro Bowl quarterback for much of the season, St. Louis head coach Mike Martz busted a 180 and declared there will be a quarterback competition between Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger to determine the starter for next season. This could lead to a rift between Warner and Martz and not even Brenda Warner's phone calls will calm things down. Ring up another win for the Rams.
Cleveland at Baltimore - W
Many are applauding B-more head coach Brian Billick for his work this year. With a inexperienced team without its best player for much of the year, linebacker Ray Lewis, getting the Ravens in playoff contention is considered his best work. While true, his ego is a terrible thing to feed. Hate to bust his bubble, but the Browns snatch this game from the beaks of the Ravens in the Upset of the Week.
Denver at Oakland - W
All wide receiver Rod Smith wants for Christmas is a Denver win.While it costs nothing to ask, even the Broncos receiver knows you don't always get what you ask for. Smith will be sulking after the Raiders steal his Christmas.
N.Y. Jets at New England - L
Some Jets players claimed the mid-week fight last week brought the team closer together, as defenders and offensive players stuck up for each other. Whatever cohesiveness established fell apart by Sunday in a 20-13 loss in Chicago. This time, they change the team unity activity to forming a gang and vandalizing together. Delinquent habits fail in strengthening a team bond as the Patriots break up New York.
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay - Monday Night - L
Forget football. I want a trash-talking contest between Pittsburgh's Lee Flowers and T.B.'s Warren Sapp. Just seat them both at midfield, mike them, and let jawing begin! That host from Around the Horn (Wack Funnyman or something?) the judge and scorer. This tête-a-tête would be much more interesting than the Buccaneers wailing away on the Steelers.
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